Ron Carter

RON CARTER is among the most original, prolific, and influential bassists in jazz. He has recorded over 2200 albums and holds a Guinness world record to prove it!

His Contributions to Jazz

In Jazz: From 1963 to 1968, Carter was a member of the acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. Over his 60-year career, he recorded with many jazz greats: Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, Bobby Timmons, Eric Dolphy, Cannonball Adderley, and Jaki Byard, to name a few. He can be heard on many iconic jazz records of the '60s and '70s, including:

• Speak No Evil
• Maiden Voyage
• Red Clay
• Speak Like a Child
• Nefertiti
• Miles Smiles

Collaborations Across Genres

In other genres: After leaving the quintet, Carter embarked on a prolific 50-year freelance career that spanned vastly different music genres and continues to this day. He recorded with:

• Roberta Flack
• Billy Joel
• Paul Simon
• Bette Midler
• Aretha Franklin

He appeared on the seminal hip-hop album "Low End Theory" with A Tribe Called Quest, wrote and recorded pieces for string quartets and Bach chorales for 2-8 basses, and accompanied Danny Simmons on a spoken word album.

Leadership in Music

As a leader: Carter continues to do worldwide tours with his various groups, including:

• The Golden Striker Carter Trio
• The Foursight Quartet
• The Ron Carter Nonet
• Ron Carter's Great Big Band

He has recorded multiple albums with his groups.

Publication and Writing

As an author: Carter shares his expertise in the series of books he authored, where he explains his creative process and teaches bassists of all levels to improve their skills and develop their own unique sound. His books feature QR codes leading to additional material, enriching the text. He also penned his autobiography, "Finding the Right Notes," available in print, e-book, and audiobook, read by Carter himself.

Teaching and Music Education

As a teacher: Carter has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics and master classes, instructing jazz ensembles and teaching the business of music at numerous universities. He was the Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Studies in Boston and is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus after 18 years at the City College of New York. He has also taught at the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music.

Film Scoring and Appearances

In film scoring: Carter has scored and arranged music for many films, including projects for the Public Broadcasting System. He composed music for:

• A Gathering of Old Men, starring Lou Gosset Jr.
• The Passion of Beatrice, directed by Bertrand Tavernier
• Blind Faith, starring Courtney B. Vance

Film appearances: In 2022, PBS premiered the full-length feature film documentary of Carter's "Live and Legend: Finding the Right Notes." He is featured in many jazz documentaries such as "Ken Burns Jazz," "Birth of the Cool" about Miles Davis, "It Must Be Schwing," the story of Blue Note, and many more. He also appeared as himself in HBO's hit series "Treme" and was the bassist on soundtracks of "Twin Peaks," "Bird," and many more.

Educational Background

Education: Carter earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School in Rochester and a Master's degree in double bass from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City.

Additional Information

Dinner or a two-drink minimum is required in addition to the tickets, plus a $0.49 music royalty fee per patron. Doors open for dinner 1 1/2 hours before the first show and 1/2 hour before the second show if there is a second show. Except for Private Events. Ticket sales are final. Catalina's Management